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Author Topic: Wondering if your carb diaphragms are good?  (Read 1491 times)
BonS
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Blue Springs, MO


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« on: July 14, 2015, 03:39:01 PM »

It's pretty darn easy with the Digi Sync. You may see also be able to detect this with gauges or a fluid manometer but I haven't tried. I recently purchased a couple of carburetor diaphragms (thanks Bert) with the intention of damaging them. It wasn't too hard as one of them was already torn in a couple of places and that's just what I wanted!

First, I synched my Interstate at 900 rpm to within +/-1 counts on every cylinder. I then revved the engine throughout a range up to 3K rpm. I dwelled at several spots to let the values settle. The Digi Sync counts stayed very close to one another within a couple of counts.

Then I exchanged one of my good diaphragms with a bad one.

At 900 rpm the sync was still good (You're right Ricky-D) but by revving the engine anywhere from 1K to 2K rpm it was easy to see that I had a bad diaphragm and, of course, which cylinder it is! The Digi Sync counts started to deviate noticeably at 1K and continued to show more error as the rpm's climbed. At 2K the bad carb/cylinder was about 10-15 counts down from the others and fluctuating.

I suppose that the amount of leakage through the tear will determine the amount of sync error but good carbs/diaphragms shouldn't deviate from one another by more than a couple of counts above idle by this experience.

I'm going to put this newly learned wisdom into the Digi Sync instructions as it's a really easy test to do and points you right to the problem carburetor like x-ray vision.  cooldude
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The emperor has no clothes
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« Reply #1 on: July 14, 2015, 04:30:47 PM »

So after you put the damaged diaphragm in could tell something was wrong from the sound and feel of the engine ?
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BonS
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« Reply #2 on: July 14, 2015, 04:58:05 PM »

Good point! I didn't take it for a spin. But I will later tonight and post what it's like.
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BonS
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« Reply #3 on: July 14, 2015, 06:25:33 PM »

So after you put the damaged diaphragm in could tell something was wrong from the sound and feel of the engine ?

Well, in a word: Lazy. Nothing screams that I have a lazy cylinder but rather my butt dyno says it's flat. The low rpm roll-on is maybe more telling than at higher rpm's.

At cruise the bad cylinder was often 10-15 points below the others. A new observation it that during full throttle roll-on the bad cylinder goes to a higher vacuum than the others. And at the same time the other cylinders move out of sync from one another. I don't remember ever seeing that before. I'm going to put the good diaphragm back in and repeat the test.

I'm real happy with the nest that I found for the Digi Sync while I'm road testing.
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csj
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« Reply #4 on: July 14, 2015, 06:47:33 PM »

Perhaps if you can find time; I've had a problem with only being able to get to
about 115 mph, then more twist of the throttle and no more go.

I've wondered if a diaphragm might be ripped.

Might be tough for you to find a place to make such a test.

( I can get to redline in the first four gears, but only like 4.5 - 5K rpm in 5th )

I can't manage the cost of a Digi Sync right now.

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NCGhostrider
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« Reply #5 on: July 14, 2015, 07:00:56 PM »

Thanks for the update.  I have been tinkering with the bike on and off this week.  Even pulled 4 of the diaphragms and visually inspected them for problems.   This test is good to know!!


I am on the quest for better fuel mileage.  Never been great on this I/S, the other one I had beat it by 6-10 mpg hands down  30-31 vs 37-41.  But that's for another thread...

Love my DigiSync

Craig
NcGhostrider
99 I/S
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99 I/S
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BonS
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« Reply #6 on: July 14, 2015, 07:16:00 PM »

Well, ugh. I put the good diaphragm back in and the same cylinder is has low vacuum readings at speed. I double checked the good diaphragm, and its installation, and it appears to indeed be good. I'm stumped right now. As an engineer I know that a sample of one isn't strong evidence and shouldn't be used to make a case. I'll sleep on it and have another go at it tomorrow. If my test-bed isn't 100% then I can't make any pronouncements!   tickedoff
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NCGhostrider
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« Reply #7 on: July 14, 2015, 07:59:19 PM »

That is interesting.  I actually swapped my diaphragms middle to back on both sides.  I saw very little if any change in vacuum/sync settings.   I am curious what you find.

Craig
NcGhostrider
99 I/S
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Whitster
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« Reply #8 on: July 14, 2015, 09:17:26 PM »

This all sounds pretty interesting, but.......pull good diaphragms out of a good running bike??.....then, put known bad ones in same bike for testing.......then put good ones (if they're still good after tampering with them) back in crazy2.......now a mysterious problem pops up??.......There's an old saying that might apply here.....If It Ain't Broke.......DON'T FIX IT!!.......Just Sayin'.............. Grin
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BonS
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« Reply #9 on: July 15, 2015, 05:04:17 AM »

Yup! It's all in the name of science and the "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance".  Smiley
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WintrSol
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Florissant, MO


« Reply #10 on: July 15, 2015, 09:08:12 AM »

Well, ugh. I put the good diaphragm back in and the same cylinder is has low vacuum readings at speed. I double checked the good diaphragm, and its installation, and it appears to indeed be good. I'm stumped right now. As an engineer I know that a sample of one isn't strong evidence and shouldn't be used to make a case. I'll sleep on it and have another go at it tomorrow. If my test-bed isn't 100% then I can't make any pronouncements!   tickedoff
You didn't say which carb you put the bad diaphragm into - wouldn't be #6 by any chance, would it?
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